Look at the photos.
The men look so bold.
Young boys really,
Who never grew old.
If fear was there,
It stayed inside.
Honor was there,
It showed with pride.
Pimples on their noses,
Freckles on their cheeks.
The faded photos.
Each one speaks.
The rural family knows.
The city one too.
The photos reveal.
They give a clue.
They were all proud,
And all stood tall.
They cussed, or prayed,
And gave their all.
The places change,
But the scene is the same.
Time erases thought,
We forget a name.
Look at the photos.
See the pride.
They were so young.
So many died.

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love”, “The Mansion Stories”, “Chief Salt”, and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work entitled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.” He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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